Minneapolis Community & Technical College

Library & Information Studies

Biography 

 

 

Thomas Eland, M.A., MALIS

Formal Education

  • Associate of Science Degree, University of Wisconsin-Marinette
  • Bachelor of Arts, Bethel University, major in History, minors in sociology & psychology
  • Master of Arts in Theology, University of St. Thomas, major in Medieval Historical Theology, minor in Ethics
  • Master of Arts in Library & Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Graduate Coursework in Liberal Studies, Hamline University

 

Related Work Experience

  • Library Faculty Member, MCTC, 1995-present
    • Chair of the Information Studies department, 1998 – present
    • Chair of the College Academic Council, 1998-2002, 2004-2007
    • Faculty Vice President, MSCF local, 2007 – present
  • Coordinator, Minnesota Literacy Resource Center, 1993 – 1995

 

Selected Publications

  • “A Curriculum-Integrated Approach to Information Literacy” in Information Literacy Instruction Handbook. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2008.
  • “Critical Thinking, Deviant Knowledge and the Alternative Press.” Update Newsletter. Dec. 2004: 4-6.

 

Academic & Research Interests

  • The politics and economics of  knowledge production/distribution and its impact on democratic society
  • The analysis of corporate mass media and its influence on shaping society and individual self understanding
  • The role and history of the “alternative press” and “deviant ideas/communities” in American society
  • The growth of surveillance in modern societies and the loss of privacy
  • The role of libraries and the library profession in advancing social justice and human rights
  •  Exploring participatory non-capitalist, non-market based economic systems and theory
  • Exploring the interplay of religion and spirituality in shaping personal identity, communal life, and politics

 

Personal Activities

  • Reading (what do you expect, I’m a librarian and a college professor)
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Bike Riding
  • Hiking
  • All things Irish (including traveling and living in Ireland as often as I can)